Malden is an accessible metropolis in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, by way of non-public and public transport.
The reward in getting here’s a modern-looking downtown complemented by historic locations and nature parks that provide an ideal steadiness between dwelling town life and staying near the woodlands and lakes.
There’s Waitt’s Mount, for starters, which is an elevated panorama that gives beautiful views of town correct and the not-so-distant Boston skyline.
There are additionally corners downtown that surprisingly maintain some historic worth to town of Malden and items of structure or fashionable artwork that join the current to the previous.
Listed below are some free issues to do in Malden, Massachusetts:
Climb the Waitt’s Mountain Summit
Waitt’s Mountain, or Waitt’s Mount, is the very best level in Malden.
It’s one of the standard vacationer locations within the metropolis, particularly for many who want to see the Boston space from a chicken’s eye view.
On the summit, the elevation is about 210 toes.
Traditionally, the land was used as a recent air camp throughout WWI and was designated to carry gun batteries in WW2.
Notably, through the Battle of Bunker Hill within the first stage of the American Revolutionary Struggle, locals who retreated had been additionally in a position to observe the extreme battle from the summit.
There’s a paved path that results in the height, so the hike is comparatively simple and advisable even for newcomers.
It’ll solely take about 15 to twenty minutes to succeed in the highest from downtown Malden.
Waitt’s Mountain is on Leonard Avenue.
Take a Break at Waitt’s Mount Park
You’ll discover Waitt’s Mount Park in your strategy to the summit of Waitt’s Mountain.
This public park is among the most lovely ones in Malden, with the primary entry level on Leonard Avenue.
Waitt’s Mount Park has a parking space and a bus cease if you’re taking public transport.
It’s also near Oak Grove station on the MBTA Orange line.
The park was beforehand renovated between 2012 and 2014 to combine the historical past of Malden into among the new installations, however a lot of the park’s pure options had been retained.
Notably, Waitt’s Mount Park has a nature path, stonework, shades and benches, and direct entry to Waitt’s Mount summit.
Cease by the Historic Bell Rock Memorial Park
Bell Rock Memorial Park is a public park alongside Predominant Avenue with historic significance not simply to Malden, however to the state itself.
The west aspect of the park options two of the primary Congregational assembly homes in-built Malden: The First Assembly Home, which was operational from 1649 to 1658, and the Second Assembly Home, which noticed exercise from 1660 to 1730.
The park is dwelling to Malden’s Civil Struggle and World Struggle II memorials, together with the well-known memorial statue referred to as The Flag Defenders from the American Civil Struggle.
Bell Rock Memorial Park was listed on the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations in 2001.
Take Images of Waitt Brick Block
Waitt Brick Block’s structure is a visible gem, which is why vacationers go to and {photograph} the place.
This historic constructing on Predominant Avenue, close to Bell Rock Memorial Park, was in-built 1848 and listed on the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations Assortment for its significance in structure.
Waitt Brick Block is a Greek Revival constructing with three tales and a definite roof, from which three tapered chimneys are put in.
Its home windows are punctuated by rustic granite lintels, and the cornice has a line of intricate brick dentil work.
Get pleasure from Stress-free Views at Pine Banks
Pine Banks is a 107.5-acre leisure park within the cities of Malden and Melrose.
Along with pure forests, the park is dwelling to totally different sports activities fields, picnic grounds, and multipurpose tracks.
The land construction of Pine Banks was stated to have shaped one million years in the past, via volcanic eruption and earthquakes.
This probably explains the uneven terrain on the sting of the park and the rocky cliffs in some surrounding areas.
There are ponds and wetlands scattered across the park, which is a perfect ecosystem for frogs, geese, and turtles.
Wild birds additionally frequent the woods, whereas squirrels and rabbits may be seen roaming the bushes and trails.
Discover Fellsmere Park and Pond
Fellsmere Park and Pond is taken into account one of many true gems in Malden.
The park provides off a small-town park vibe that has loads of shade, scenic walkways, open grass, and wooded areas.
The centerpiece of all of it, nevertheless, is Fellsmere Pond, with a wonderful fountain ornament that makes for a soothing view and backdrop.
Fellsmere Park and Pond holds important historic worth to Malden, because it was designed by well-known panorama architect Frederick Legislation Olmsted, whereas a lot of the land was donated by town’s first mayor, Elisha S. Converse.
The park is bordered by Malden and Middlesex and is accessible by way of Fellsmere Highway.
Moreover, Fellsmere Park is a superb place to loosen up and take images of the Boston skyline, particularly throughout sundown.
Comply with the Northern Strand Group Path
The Northern Strand Group Path runs between Everett and Nahant and passes via downtown Malden.
The path is popularly the anchor level of the Bike to the Sea venture, which plans to attach Boston and the Mystic River to the seashore in Lynn, north of Boston.
Coming into Malden, the path is adjoining to some city parks and landmarks and parallel to native neighborhoods with fascinating architectural particulars.
In Malden, there are two essential entry factors resulting in the Northern Strand Group Path.
You may go from the eastbound aspect of Route 60 behind the Dockside Restaurant, or from the westbound aspect of Route 60, throughout the road from Malden Excessive close to the hockey rink car parking zone.
The path was lastly accomplished in 2021, which suggests it’s now paved and simpler to navigate for a protracted stroll, mild run, or bike experience.
Guests are welcome on the Forestdale Group Church.
The small metropolis congregation hosts a few hundred attendees in its classes, which the general public and visiting events are inspired to attend.
The church additionally has a picturesque exterior, which is perhaps a focal point for many who love to look at native structure throughout their travels.
Forestdale Group Church is positioned alongside Forest Spherical, which makes an excellent cease if you’re visiting the close by Pine Banks.
Spend Time round Downtown Malden
Downtown Malden affords a mixture of historic websites and concrete hangout spots for vacationers.
Should you comply with Predominant Avenue, you’ll discover Waitt Brick Block and Converse Memorial Library, historic websites revered for his or her structure.
Simply outdoors of downtown, and nonetheless alongside Predominant Avenue, there’s additionally Bell Rock Park, a wonderful park constructed to honor Malden’s place in American historical past, significantly within the Civil Struggle.
There are additionally loads of eating choices round, in addition to paid sights such because the Malden Historic Society Museum and Boda Borg, an amusement park.
Go to Converse Memorial Library
Converse Memorial Library is one other registered historic website in Malden for its significance in structure.
Henry Hobson Richardson, greatest identified for his work in a definite model generally known as “Richardsonian Romanesque,” designed the constructing.
The institution was notably the final of Richardson’s library designs and is broadly considered one of many famed architect’s most interesting constructions.
Converse Memorial Library, additionally has a little bit of Hollywood notoriety, as its inside was featured in a two-minute sequence within the movie “Ted 2,” which, in response to one of many board of trustees, required weeks of preparation.
Converse Memorial Library is positioned alongside Predominant Avenue.
See the “Spirit within the Sky” Mural at Trade Avenue
The “Spirit within the Sky” mural was unveiled in 2019 to have a good time the work of Malden-born composer and performer Norman Greenbaum.
The mural echoes his guitar observe of the identical title, which has lengthy been featured in films, commercials, and TV.
Malden Arts ARTLine commissioned the artwork with Austin-based visible artist Jesse Malenson, whose proposal beat a whole lot of others to earn the glory of making the primary publicly funded artwork set up of its dimension within the metropolis.
The colourful “Spirit within the Sky” mural is painted on the again of a government-owned constructing and reveals a hand releasing a rainbow within the sky, which represents the “spirit” from the lyrics in Greenbaum’s music.
Different Free Issues to Do Close by
Simply outdoors the border of Malden are extra public sights that provide some respite from the city jungle.
Listed below are some close by nature parks and areas of curiosity which have important historic and cultural worth to the area.
Discover the Middlesex Fells Reservation
The Middlesex Fells Reservation is a 2,200-acre public recreation space masking components of Malden, Medford, Winchester, Melrose, and Stoneham.
You’ll see a little bit of Fells, because it’s identified within the area, from the Waitt’s Mountain Summit, though you don’t need to accept simply that because it’s just some minutes away from the placement.
There may be even free parking obtainable in choose areas, together with a “pull-off” parking alongside Fellsway East in Malden.
Some notable actions you are able to do inside Middlesex Fells Reservation are mountain biking, climbing and strolling, and boating.
There’s additionally an space referred to as Sheepfold Meadow, the place canines are allowed off-leash.
Take a Stroll at Mystic River Reservation
Mystic River Reservation is simply outdoors Malden, positioned on the borders of the close by metropolis of Medford and Sommerville, from the opposite aspect of the river.
Actions right here embrace picnicking, biking, and discipline sports activities.
There may be additionally a rental facility for many who need to strive crusing.
There are lovely picket platforms close to the river, that are good for birdwatching or just viewing the distant skyline with the river as an inspiring foreground.
Strolling round Mystic River Reservation is kind of an expertise, too, significantly on the paved paths that can lead company to a small bridge that crosses a portion of the river.
See the Lawrence Gentle Guard Armory
Lawrence Gentle Guard Armory is a historic armory in Excessive Avenue, Medford, in-built 1891.
Shepley, Rutan, and Coolidge, a extremely profitable structure agency primarily based in Boston, designed the three-story granite and brick armory.
Their design borrows parts from the Romanesque Revival, highlighted by a few large granite quoins on the corners and granite lintel finishes on the home windows.
Lawrence Gentle Guard Armory was additionally used for numerous social and civic actions in Medford from 1916 to 1973.
Take a Stress-free Detour to Ell Pond
Ell Pond is simply previous downtown Melrose and is alongside the identical Predominant Avenue you’ll see in Malden.
This pond is a well-liked birdwatching location all yr spherical and an honest spot to hang around and take footage.
There are many geese and geese at Ell Pond, however half of it’s open for fishing when the season permits it.
Strolling across the park is comparatively mild work, as there’s a paved pathway across the pond itself.
Remaining Ideas
Malden is an excellent place to remain for a day or two, which ought to give you ample room to discover the primary sights within the metropolis.
However an extended go to ought to be engaging as nicely since Malden is bordered by loads of landmarks and sights that it will get to share with a few of its pleasant neighbors.
There may be steadiness in there someplace, which you’ll probably discover whereas constructing an itinerary that focuses on the historical past of town and its surrounding nature.
That can assist you out, you should definitely bookmark this record of free issues to do in Malden, Massachusetts, so you may go to as many locations as you need in essentially the most cost-efficient and hassle-free means potential.
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